San Miguel Corp. president and CEO Ramon S. Ang, named the Executive of the Year, spent his time on stage paying tribute to Coach of the Year awardee Tim Cone. Jerome Ascano

ON a night where he was honored with the Executive of the Year award in the 2014 PBA Press Corps' Annual Awards Night, San Miguel Corp. big boss Ramon S. Ang deflected the credit as he heaped praise on two-time PBA grand slam champion coach Tim Cone.

Ang, the chief operating office and president of SMC, spent his time on stage paying Cone the ultimate compliment, saying the American who led San Mig Coffee to a grand slam in the PBA last season was the "best coach I've ever met in my life."

Cone, 56, was honored with his third Coach of the Year trophy in the same ceremony, adding another milestone to a 25-year career that has seen him win the most championships by a coach (18) in PBA history as well as a second grand slam.

On Thursday night, Cone received a pat on the back from the big boss himself.

Ang took a moment to appreciate Cone’s efforts of molding a San Mig team into a unit that prides itself in working hard in practice and every game to "give a good game to the fans."

“I think what’s important, Tim, is not just winning, but to be able to provide a good game for everybody and to play a honest game without having to hurt anybody. And for that, I admire you,” he said. “I hope you win another grand slam.”